No: 213, 3 July 2017, Press Release Regarding Firing On A Turkish Flagged Merchant Vessel Off The Coast Of Rhodes

Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 03.07.2017

We have been informed that M/V ACT a Turkish flagged general cargo ship
which was on its way from the port of İskenderun to the port of İzmit was
fired upon by a Greek Coast Guard boat while cruising off the coast of the
island of Rhodes.

There is no explanation whatsoever of the fact that a merchant vessel which
is unarmed by definition and ferrying cargo between two Turkish ports came
under fire. Our only consolation in this incident is that there is no loss
of life or injury.

We protest in the strongest terms possible this disproportionate act by the
Greek authorities which disregards the most fundamental right of human life
which is right to live and deem it necessary to share with the
international community our expectation that no such incident is repeated.